The diocesan Office of Youth Ministry will sponsor “Life is
Very Good,” an evening of prayer Jan. 21 and a morning
rally and Mass for youths Jan. 22, prior to the annual March
for Life in Washington. Both events will take place at the
George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle
in Fairfax.
The evening of prayer, 7:30 to 10 p.m., will include music by
Matt Maher and Christian rock band Rend Collective, as well
as a presentation by author and chastity speaker Chris
Stefanick. Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will lead
eucharistic adoration.
“It’s beautiful to see 8,500 teens in silence before the
Blessed Sacrament,” said Kevin Bohli, diocesan director of
youth ministry. “We also provide the opportunity for
confession because the talks and prayer often spark a desire
in young people to change their lives and rid themselves of
any baggage that has been holding them down in their
relationships with Christ.”
The morning rally and Mass will take place 9 a.m. until noon,
and will feature Stefanick and music by the Ike Ndolo Band.
Bishop Loverde will celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. Students from
Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Bishop O’Connell
High School in Arlington, Paul VI Catholic High School in
Fairfax and Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in
Dumfries will attend.
Tickets for both events are reserved, and the evening of
prayer is already sold out. Tickets still are available for
the morning rally and Mass .
The events provide the opportunity to pray for the success of
the March for Life. “It’s one thing to say that we are
‘pro-life’ when it comes to abortion,” said Bohli, “but there
are many other things that we can do which can hurt or tear
down ourselves or other people. We want anybody who is going
to the March for Life to be praying for an end of abortion,
but also to reflect on what it is in our own hearts that
keeps us from showing respect and love to all people, born
and unborn.”
